Toy with magnetic retaining structure and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A toy comprises a body formed in the shape of an animal, and has first and second parts representing anatomical elements of the animal. At least one of the first and second parts is movable toward and away from the other of the first and second parts. Each of the first and second parts comprises an outer surface, and has a receiving space defined therein, interiorly of the outer surface. Complementary magnetic elements are disposed within the receiving spaces, so that when the first and second parts are sufficiently close together, the complementary magnetic elements magnetically engage such that the first and second parts are releasably secured to one another. The first and second parts may represent first and second parts of a mouth, such as a maxillary portion of a jaw system and a mandibular portion of the jaw system.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to toys, and more particularly to toyshaving retaining structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When babies cry or otherwise become fussy, it is common to provide themwith a pacifier (also referred to as a soother), which typicallyincludes a nipple which can safely be placed in the baby's mouth.Unfortunately, because pacifiers are typically small, they often becomelost, or fall on the ground, which necessitates sterilization orreplacement.

There have been a number of attempts to provide devices to assist inretaining pacifiers. For example. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,188,747 and 4,277,910to Kramer disclose a stuffed toy having a releasable clamp for receptionof a nipple serving as a pacifier, and a stuffed toy havinghook-and-loop type patches on opposed elements so that it can retain apacifier therebetween. U.S. Pat. No. 5,201,073 to Spanier discloses acombination bib and toy having a generally humanoid shape and whosehands can be attached together to hold a pacifier. U.S. Pat. No.5,344,355 to Silverstein discloses a stuffed toy with a flexibleextension member and pacifier retaining loop having a snap attached toits end which mates with a corresponding snap inside the extensionmember. U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,501 to Lynch discloses a pacifier-holdercomprising a two-piece tab-flap fastener for securing the pacifier to awand. U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,919 to Gordon et al. discloses a pacifier toycomprising an animal shape with a face portion framed to receive apacifier, and a pacifier having a face defined thereon, with the nippleacting as the nose of the face, and also discloses a stegosaurus-shapedtoy, with pacifier nipples in place of the stegosaur spines. U.S. Pat.No. 6,666,740 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20020187719discloses a stuffed toy in the shape of an animal, attached to apacifier. Stuffed toys in the shape of animals, each attached to apacifier, have been offered by Trebco Specialty Products, Inc. at thewebsite www.wubbanub.com, under the trademark “WubbaNub”. Stuffedanimals with pacifiers removably attached thereto have been offered byLove Kub LLC at the web site www.pacimals.com under the trademark“Pacimals”, and by Nookunis, LLC at the website www.paciplushies.comunder the trademark “Paci-Plushies”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a toy comprising abody formed in the shape of an animal. The body has first and secondparts representing anatomical elements other animal, and at least one ofthe first and second parts is movable toward and away from the other ofthe first and second parts. Each of the first and second parts comprisesan outer surface and has a receiving space defined therein, with eachreceiving space being disposed interiorly of the respective outersurface. Complementary magnetic elements are disposed within thereceiving spaces, so that when the first and second parts aresufficiently close together, the complementary magnetic elementsmagnetically engage one another such that the first and second parts arereleasably secured to one another.

In one embodiment, the first part represents a maxillary portion of ajaw system and the second part represents a mandibular portion of thejaw system.

In another embodiment, the first and second parts represent forelimbs.

The complementary magnetic elements may consist of a permanent magnetand an element comprising a magnetic substance, or may consist of firstand second permanent magnets arranged so that their respective poles areoriented such that the first permanent magnet and the second permanentmagnet are attracted to one another.

In one embodiment, the body is formed from fabric and filled withstuffing, the outer surface of each of the first and second parts isformed from fabric, and stuffing is disposed within the receivingspaces.

The outer surfaces may be opaque, and in a particular embodiment thebody is formed in the shape of a non-human animal.

In a particular embodiment, the two parts represent complementaryopposed anatomical elements.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a toy comprisinga body in the shape of an animal. The body has a mouth defined by twocomplementary mouth portions. At least one of the mouth portions ismovable relative to the other mouth portion so that the mouth has aclosed configuration and one or more open configurations. Each mouthportion has a magnetic element positioned therewithin so that when themouth is in the closed configuration, the magnetic elements are spacedfrom one another and cooperate to maintain the mouth in the closedconfiguration.

The body may comprise an outer shell formed from fabric and containingstuffing.

The complementary magnetic elements may consist of a permanent magnetand an element comprising a magnetic substance, or may consist of firstand second permanent magnets arranged so that their respective poles areoriented such that the first permanent magnet and the second permanentmagnet are attracted to one another.

The complementary magnetic elements may be disposed interiorly of theouter shell, and the fabric may be opaque.

In a particular embodiment, the complementary mouth portions comprise amaxillary portion of a jaw system and a mandibular portion of the jawsystem.

The body may be formed in the shape of a non-human animal.

In a further aspect, the present invention is directed to a method forretaining a ring-type pacifier when not in use by an infant. The methodcomprises providing a toy having a body formed in the shape of ananimal. The body of the toy provided has first and second partsrepresenting anatomical elements of the animal, with at least one of thefirst and second parts being movable toward and away from the other ofthe first and second parts. Each of the first and second parts comprisesan outer surface and has a receiving space defined therein, with thereceiving space being disposed interiorly of the outer surface, andcomplementary magnetic elements are disposed within the receivingspaces. According to the method, after providing the toy, at least oneof the first and second parts is moved away from the other of the firstand second parts, and a ring of the ring-type pacifier is placed betweenthe first and second parts so that the complementary magnetic elementsare aligned with an aperture in the ring of the ring-type pacifier.

In a particular embodiment of the method, after positioning thepacifier, at least one of the first and second parts is moved toward theother of the first and second parts so that, when the first and secondparts are sufficiently close together, the complementary magneticelements magnetically engage such that the first and second parts arereleasably secured to one another so as to retain the pacifier.

In another particular embodiment of the method, after positioning thepacifier, at least one of the first and second parts is allowed to movetoward the other of the first and second parts under influence ofmagnetic attraction between the complementary magnetic elements so that,when the first and second parts are sufficiently close together, thecomplementary magnetic elements magnetically engage such that the firstand second parts are releasably secured to one another so as to retainthe pacifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the invention will become more apparent fromthe following description in which reference is made to the appendeddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a toy in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a partially cut-away side view of the embodiment of FIG.1, with a mouth in an open configuration, in accordance with an aspectof the present invention:

FIG. 2B shows a partially cut-away side view of the embodiment of FIG.1, with the mouth in a closed configuration, in accordance with anaspect of the present invention:

FIG. 3 shows insertion of an exemplary ring-type pacifier into the mouthof the embodiment of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention:

FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 retaining the exemplary ring-typepacifier;

FIG. 5A shows a partially cut-away side view of the embodiment of FIG.1, with the mouth in an open configuration and the exemplary ring-typepacifier positioned in the mouth, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5B shows a partially cut-away side view of the embodiment of FIG.1, with the mouth in a closed configuration retaining the exemplaryring-type pacifier, in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, retaining a writing implement;and

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1, retaining notepaper.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference now to FIG. 1, a toy according to an aspect of thepresent invention is shown generally at 10. The toy 10 comprises a body12 formed in the shape of a animal, and, in the embodiment shown in theFigures, the animal is a dog, more particularly a stylizedrepresentation of a dog.

The body 12 has a plurality of parts representing anatomical elements ofthe dog, including hindlimbs 14, forelimbs 16, tail 18 and head 20.Parts representing anatomical elements of the dog, also forming part ofthe body 12, are attached to the head 20. These include partsrepresenting ears 22, eyes 23, and a mouth 24 formed from respectivefirst and second complementary mouth portions 26 and 28. A nose portion30 is disposed on the first mouth portion 26. In one embodiment, thebody 12, including the hindlimbs 14, forelimbs 16, tail 18, head 20 andmouth portions 26, 28, is formed from a fabric outer shell and filledwith stuffing. While the cars 22 are formed from fabric, stuffing mayoptionally be omitted from the ears to create a “floppy” appearanceevocative of the ears of a spaniel-type dog.

In the particular embodiment shown, the first mouth portion 26represents a maxillary portion of a jaw system and the second mouthportion 28 represents a mandibular portion of the jaw system. Thus, thetwo mouth portions 26, 28 are first and second parts 26, 28 representinganatomical elements of the animal. As will be described in greaterdetail below, each mouth portion 26, 28 has a respective magneticelement 40, 42 positioned therewithin, the magnetic elements 40, 42being complementary to one another in the sense that a magneticattraction occurs between the magnetic elements 40, 42. For example, oneof the magnetic elements 40, 42 may be a permanent magnet and the othermay be an element formed from a magnetic substance, that is, a substancethat experiences attraction when exposed to a permanent magnet.Alternatively, the first and second magnetic elements 40, 42 may befirst and second permanent magnets arranged so that their respectivepoles are oriented such that they are attracted to one another.

With reference now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, it will be seen that the firstand second mouth portions 26, 28 are movable toward and away from oneanother. In the particular exemplary embodiment illustrated herein, themouth portions 26, 28 are movable relative to one another so that themouth 24 has a closed configuration (as shown in FIG. 2A) and one ormore open configurations (as shown in FIG. 2B). While in the illustratedembodiment each of the mouth portions 26, 28 is movable relative to theother, it is considered sufficient for only one of the first and secondparts (mouth portions 26, 28 in the illustrated embodiment) to bemovable toward and away from the other part, with the other part beingrelatively static. Thus, alternate embodiments are envisioned in whichonly one of the parts (e.g. only one of the mouth portions) would bemovable.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B, each of the first and secondmouth portions 26, 28 comprises a respective outer surface 44, 46. Eachof the first and second mouth portions 26, 28 also has a respectivereceiving space 48, 50 defined within its interior, that is, eachreceiving space 48, 50 is disposed interiorly of the respective outersurface 44, 46. The complementary magnetic elements 40, 42 are disposedwithin the respective receiving spaces 48, 50, so that, when the mouthportions 26, 28 are sufficiently close together, as shown in FIG. 2B,the complementary magnetic elements 40, 42 will magnetically engage oneanother such that the mouth portions 26, 28 are releasably secured toone another, thereby cooperating to maintain the mouth 24 in the closedconfiguration. As can particularly be seen in FIG. 2B, when the mouth 24is in the closed configuration, the magnetic elements 40, 42 are spacedfrom one another, because the outer surfaces 44, 46 are disposed betweenthem. It will be appreciated that, because the magnetic elements 40, 42are disposed interiorly of the respective outer surfaces 44, 46, theywill be concealed as long as the outer surfaces 44, 46 are opaque, andsuch concealment may enhance the aesthetic features of the toy 10.

In some embodiments, the receiving spaces 48, 50 may comprise a pocketformed from two adjacent layers of fabric, with one of the layers beingthe respective outer surface 44, 46 and the other layer being aninterior layer (not shown) positioned to prevent the respective magneticelement 40, 42 from migrating away (i.e. inwardly) from the respectiveouter surface 44, 46. In such an embodiment, the receiving spaces 48, 50may optionally be filled with stuffing.

In other embodiments, a three layer structure may be used, with thereceiving spaces 48, 50 being defined by an interior pocket formed fromtwo layers of fabric and positioned interiorly of the respective outersurfaces 44, 46, with stuffing disposed between the respective outersurface 44, 46 and the pocket so as to provide cushioning between themagnetic elements 40, 42 and the respective outer surfaces 44, 46. Theamount of such stuffing should be limited so as to avoid interferingwith magnetic engagement of the magnetic elements 40, 42.

Where the receiving spaces 48, 50 are sufficiently small relative to thesize of the magnetic elements 40, 42, boundaries of the receiving spaces48, 50 (for example, as defined by fabric layers and stitching) may besufficient to retain the magnetic elements 40, 42 in position so thatthey are aligned with one another. If the receiving spaces 48, 50 arelarge relative to the size of the magnetic elements 40, 42, then it ispreferable that the magnetic elements 40, 42 be secured in position, forexample by surrounding the magnetic element 40, 42 with stitching thatsecures together the two layers of a pocket containing that magneticelement 40, 42, by use of a suitable adhesive, or by another suitabletechnique.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3 and 4. A toy according to an aspect ofthe present invention may be used to grasp and retain a ring-typepacifier 60 (also known as a soother). In particular, the mouth 24 canbe moved to an open configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, and the pacifier60 can be placed inside the mouth 24. The mouth 24 can then be closed,so that the complementary magnetic elements 40, 42 magnetically engageone another, with the result that the mouth portions 26, 28 arereleasably secured to one another, thereby cooperating to maintain themouth 24 in the closed configuration and retain the pacifier 60, asshown in FIG. 4. This process will be described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Referring first to FIG. 5A, it will be seen that the pacifier 60comprises a nipple 62, a shield 64, and a ring 66 defining an aperture68. When the mouth 24 is open, as shown in FIG. 5A, the ring 66 of thepacifier 60 can be placed between the first and second mouth portions26, 28, so that the magnetic elements 40, 42, are aligned with theaperture 68, respectively. The two mouth portions 26, 28, can then bemoved (or allowed to move) so that the mouth 24 is in the closedconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 5B. The magnetic elements 40, 42magnetically engage one another through the aperture 68 in the pacifierring 66, so that the outer surfaces 44, 46 are maintained in contactwith one another, thereby retaining the pacifier 60 in the mouth 24.

While toys according to aspects of the present invention mayadvantageously be used to grasp and retain ring-type pacifiers, toysaccording to aspects of the present invention may also be used to retainother objects as well.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a toy according to an aspect of thepresent invention may be used to retain a writing implement, such as apen 80. As can be seen, the pen 80 is maintained between the mouthportions 26, 28 by cooperation of the magnetic elements 40, 42 whichhold the outer surfaces 44, 46 in contact with one another adjacent themagnetic elements 40, 42 so that the outer surfaces 44, 46 effectivelyencircle and thereby retain the pen 80.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, a toy according to an aspect of thepresent invention may also be used to retain paper, for example papercurrency or notepaper 90. Because the magnetic elements 40, 42 can actthrough layers of material (so long as the material is such that it doesnot interfere with the magnetic effect), the magnetic elements cancooperate to maintain notepaper 90 between them (and between the outersurfaces 44, 46) so as to retain the notepaper 80 in the mouth 24.

As can be seen by reference to the Figures, by having the body 12 formedin the shape of a familiar domestic animal such as a dog, a pleasingeffect, that of the animal holding an object, such as pacifier 60, pen80 or notepaper 90, in its mouth, is achieved. The body 12 can be formedin the shape of any suitable animal, and need not only be formed in theshape of a dog. For example, and without any limitation whatsoever, atoy according to an aspect of the present invention could be formed inthe shape of other mammals, including without limitation cats, mice,gerbils, hamsters, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, cows, pigs,sheep, goats, beavers, ferrets, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys,orangutans, apes, elephants, hippopotami, donkeys, horses, ponies,whales, seals, sea lions or dolphins. Toys according to aspects of thepresent invention could also take the shape of birds, or of reptilesincluding without limitation lizards and snakes, or of amphibiansincluding frogs. In addition, toys according to aspects of the presentinvention could take the form of various non-mammalian aquatic denizens,including without limitation fish, octopi, squid and suitablecrustaceans. It is also contemplated that toys according to aspects ofthe present invention may take the form of mythical creatures, includingwithout limitation dragons and unicorns, and extinct creatures,including without limitation dinosaurs. While toys according to aspectsof the present invention have thus far been described as taking theshape of a non-human animal, it is also contemplated that a toyaccording to an aspect of the present invention may take the shape of ahuman being, either fictional or real. It is to be understood that abovelisting of animals is exemplary only, and is not intended to be limitingin any way. Thus, a toy according to an aspect of the present inventionmay take the shape of an animal not listed above.

In the embodiments herein described, the first and second parts in whichthe magnetic elements are disposed represent complementary opposedanatomical elements of the animal, such as mouth portions 26, 28. Whilethe examples above have illustrated the first and second partsrepresenting anatomical elements of the animal, and having magneticelements disposed therein, as being mouth portions 26, 28, it is to beappreciated that the first and second parts need not represent parts ofa mouth. For example, the first and second parts may represent adifferent set of complementary opposed parts, such as forelimbs (if theanimal after which the toy is shaped has forelimbs). This would createthe visual impression of an animal holding an object between its frontpaws (or hands or hooves or fins or claws or tentacles, as the case maybe). Alternatively, the first and second parts in which the magneticelements are disposed may represent anatomical elements that are notcomplementary opposed anatomical elements. For example, the first andsecond parts may represent the head and tail end of a snake, so that thesnake can be formed into a loop to retain a ring-type pacifier.

It is also to be appreciated that while embodiments according to aspectsof the present invention have been described as being constructed fromfabric materials with stuffing, other materials, such as rubber,suitable plastics and the like, may also be used. For example, usingrubber or a similar material for the outer surface can create a morerealistic impression when the animal depicted is a reptile. Moreover,while use of fabric entails the advantage that the inherent flexibilityof the fabric material facilitates making at least one of the first andsecond parts being movable toward and away from the other (e.g.providing the mouth portions with closed and open configurations), othertechniques may equivalently be used to achieve the same effect. Forexample, a hinge stricture or a ball-joint structure may be used if therelevant parts arc made of a relatively rigid material.

It will be appreciated that toys in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention can also be used in carrying out methods according toaspects of the present invention. In particular, according to an aspectof the present invention there are provided methods for retaining aring-type pacifier when not in use by an infant. In one exemplaryembodiment, the method comprises the a first step of providing a toy.The toy provided according to the exemplary method has a body formed inthe shape of an animal, the body having first and second partsrepresenting anatomical elements of the animal, with at least one of thefirst and second parts being movable toward and away from the other ofthe first and second parts. Each of the first and second parts comprisesan outer surface and has a receiving space defined therein, interiorlyof the outer surface, with complementary magnetic elements beingdisposed within the receiving spaces. After the toy has been provided, auser moves at least one of the first and second parts away from theother of the first and second parts, and after so moving at least one ofthe first and second parts, places the ring of the ring-type pacifierbetween the first and second parts so that the complementary magneticelements are aligned with an aperture in the ring of the ring-typepacifier.

In a particular embodiment of the above-described methods after the ringof the ring-type pacifier is positioned between the first and secondparts so that the complementary magnetic elements are aligned with theaperture, the user moves at least one of the first and second partstoward the other of the first and second parts so that, when the firstand second parts are sufficiently close together, the complementarymagnetic elements magnetically engage such that the first and secondparts are releasably secured to one another.

In another particular embodiment of the above-described method, the userdoes not actually move either of the first and second parts, but ratherallows at least one of the first and second parts to move toward theother of the first and second parts under influence of magneticattraction between the complementary magnetic elements so that, when thefirst and second parts are sufficiently close together, thecomplementary magnetic elements magnetically engage such that the firstand second parts are releasably secured to one another.

It will of course be appreciated that appropriate supervision of infantsis required in all circumstances. Accordingly, an infant should not beprovided with a pacifier secured to a toy according to aspects of thepresent invention, or with such a toy alone, unless a responsible adultis present and is providing appropriate supervision of the infant.

Reference has been made herein to pacifiers, and in particular toring-type pacifiers. Pacifiers do not form part of the presentinvention, and any references to pacifiers in the claims are intendedsolely to define attributes of the invention and not to define anypacifier as a component of any embodiment of any aspect of theinvention.

One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described by wayof example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that anumber of variations and modifications can be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

1. A toy, comprising: a body formed in the shape of an animal, the bodyhaving first and second parts representing anatomical elements of theanimal; at least one of the first and second parts being movable towardand away from the other of the first and second parts; each of the firstand second parts comprising an outer surface and having a receivingspace defined therein, the receiving space being disposed interiorly ofthe outer surface; and complementary magnetic elements disposed withinthe receiving spaces, so that, when the first and second parts aresufficiently close together, the complementary magnetic elementsmagnetically engage one another such that the first and second parts arereleaseably secured to one another.
 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein thefirst part represents a maxillary portion of a jaw system and the secondpart represents a mandibular portion of the jaw system.
 3. The toy ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second parts represent forelimbs.
 4. Thetoy of claim 1, wherein the complementary magnetic elements consist of apermanent magnet and an element comprising a magnetic substance.
 5. Thetoy of claim 1, wherein the complementary magnetic elements consist offirst and second permanent magnets arranged so that their respectivepoles are oriented such that the first permanent magnet and the secondpermanent magnet are attracted to one another.
 6. The toy of claim 1,wherein the body is formed from fabric and filled with stuffing, andwherein the outer surface of each of the first and second parts isformed from fabric and wherein stuffing is disposed within the receivingspaces.
 7. The toy of claim 1, wherein the outer surfaces are opaque. 8.The toy of claim 1, wherein the body is formed in the shape of anon-human animal.
 9. The toy of claim 1, wherein the first and secondparts represent complementary opposed anatomical elements.
 10. A toycomprising a body in the shape of an animal, the body having a mouthdefined by two complementary mouth portions, at least one of the mouthportions being movable relative to the other mouth portion so that themouth has a closed configuration and one or more open configurations,each mouth portion having a magnetic element positioned therewithin sothat when the mouth is in the closed configuration, the magneticelements are spaced from one another and cooperate to maintain the mouthin the closed configuration.
 11. The toy of claim 10, wherein the bodycomprises an outer shell formed from fabric and containing stuffing. 12.The toy of claim 10, wherein the complementary magnetic elements consistof a permanent magnet and an element comprising a magnetic substance.13. The toy of claim 10, wherein the complementary magnetic elementsconsist of first and second permanent magnets arranged so that theirrespective poles are oriented such that the first permanent magnet andthe second permanent magnet are attracted to one another.
 14. The toy ofclaim 11, wherein the complementary magnetic elements are disposedinteriorly of the outer shell.
 15. The toy of claim 14, wherein thefabric is opaque.
 16. The toy of claim 10, wherein the complementarymouth portions comprise a maxillary portion of a jaw system and amandibular portion of the jaw system.
 17. The toy of claim 10, whereinthe body is formed in the shape of a non-human animal.
 18. A method forretaining a ring-type pacifier when not in use by an infant, comprisingsteps of: providing a toy having a body formed in the shape of ananimal, the body having first and second parts representing anatomicalelements of the animal, at least one of the first and second parts beingmovable toward and away from the other of the first and second parts,each of the first and second parts comprising an outer surface andhaving a receiving space defined therein, the receiving space beingdisposed interiorly of the outer surface, with complementary magneticelements being disposed within the receiving spaces; moving at least oneof the first and second parts away from the other of the first andsecond parts; and placing a ring of the ring-type pacifier between thefirst and second parts so that the complementary magnetic elements arealigned with an aperture in the ring of the ring-type pacifier.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising a step of moving at least one ofthe first and second parts toward the other of the first and secondparts so that, when the first and second parts are sufficiently closetogether, the complementary magnetic elements magnetically engage suchthat the first and second parts are releasably secured to one another soas to retain the ring-type pacifier.
 20. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising a step of allowing at least one of the first and second partsto move toward the other of the first and second parts under influenceof magnetic attraction between the complementary magnetic elements sothat, when the first and second parts are sufficiently close together,the complementary magnetic elements magnetically engage such that thefirst and second parts are releasably secured to one another so as toretain the ring-type pacifier.